Lukey The Czech for 8/18/07

August 17 – 2007

Lukey the Czech isn’t all pilsner and cigars. Just yesterday, he and I had a lengthy discussion about whether or not the transfer market was indeed a “market.” The idea of “value,” we decided, has been largely lost due to the massive availability of capital. And that’s why you have players like Younes Kaboul being purchased for $16million…because…why the hell not? It’s Greenspan’s irrational exuberance to a tee, but with pockets so deep that it doesn’t really matter. See, you can learn a lot from a Czech M.B.A.

Last week, though, we learned how to get off to a less than stellar start. Lukey now stands at a loss of $8.28 for this very young season (based on $5 and $10 mythical wagers). Let’s see if he can get back to his winning ways after the jump.

Lock of the Week:
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve learned one thing from my 6 year old niece: little kids like to ask rhetorical questions. So here we go – Who is going to defend El Nino and Dirk Kuyt this weekend?

Let’s face it, Chelsea’s problems in the back have not gone away. Give up two goals against Birmingham at the Bridge and another one against offense-less Reading….not good, not good. Might we see Shaun Wright Phillips at right back again?? I’m predicting Torres (I love this guy) to open up his account here, with Voronin or Kuyt getting one as well. Luckily, “You’ll never walk alone” at Anfield and that’s good for Gerrard and his broken toe, especially on Sunday. Liverpool kick Jose in his little nuts…2-0.

Portsmouth v Bolton: 2-1
Birmingham v West Ham: 3-2
Fulham v Middlesbrough: 2-0
Reading v Everton: 1-2
Tottenham v Derby: 1-2
Wigan v Sunderland: 1-0
Newcastle v Aston Villa: 2-0

Man City v Man Utd: 1-0
Blackburn v Arsenal: 1-3
Liverpool v Chelsea: 2-0

Portsmouth v Bolton
Portsmouth 10/11
Draw 23/10
Bolton 10/3

Birmingham v West Ham
Birmingham 7/5
Draw 9/4
West Ham 15/8

Fulham v Middlesbrough
Fulham 5/4
Draw 9/4
Middlesbrough 11/5

Reading v Everton
Reading 6/4
Draw 9/4
Everton 15/8

Tottenham v Derby
Tottenham 1/2
Draw 3/1
Derby 15/2

Wigan v Sunderland
Wigan 5/4
Draw 9/4
Sunderland 11/5

Newcastle v Aston Villa
Newcastle Evs
Draw 12/5
Aston Villa 10/3

Man City v Man Utd Sunday 19th
Man City 4/1
Draw 12/5
Man Utd 4/5

Blackburn v Arsenal
Blackburn 5/2
Draw 9/4
Arsenal 5/4

Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool 6/4
Draw 11/5
Chelsea 2/1